Metallic sole for boots and shoes



(ModeL) W. T. BURROWS.

Metallic Sole for Boots and Shoes. NO. 239,441. Patented March 29,1881.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

v V ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM T. BURROWS, OF EAST DUBUQUE, ILLINOIS.

METALLIC SOLE FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 239,441, dated March29, 1881.

Application filed February 2, 1881. (Model) To all whom it may concernBe it known that 1, WILLIAM T. BURROWS, of East Dubuque, in the countyof Jo Daviess and State of Illinois, have invented a new and ImprovedMetal Sole for Boots and Shoes, of which the followin g is a full,clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to increase the durability of the bootor shoe sole.

The invention consists of a plate of metal of the shape of the sole,and, designed to be cured thereon, made with parallel on ts or slits,that alternately begin at the opposite edges and extend nearly acrossthe plate, thereby forming, in efl'ec a series of parallel end-connectcdcross-bars.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoe provided with the improved sole.Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan ofthe metal solo in place on a shoe. Fig. 3is an enlarged plan of a modification of the metal sole in place on ashoe.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, A represents a metal plate, preferably sheet metal,having parallel cuts a made across it, which cuts a, in alternation,begin at the opposite edge of said plate A and extend nearly across thesame, and terminate in small circular perforations I), that are designedto prevent the further extension of said cuts to, because of the bendingof the plate A when in use. Said plate or sole A is secured on the soleB of the shoe or boot 0 by screws 1), that are inserted throughcountersunk holes a, made for that purpose in the said plate or sole A.The metal remaining between the ends of the cuts a, and the edges of thesole A may be left quite narrow-thatis, the cuts a can be extendednearly across Without causing the metal to break or crack at thosepoints, as the bending of the sole A in walking will all be through thetorsional springing or yielding of each of the several bars at betweenthe cuts a.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification of the device, in which the slits orcuts a are, at a short distance from their outer ends, enlarged intonarrow straight-edged openings, as shown at f", and so extended to theirtermini, for the purpose of giving the sole A a better hold when used onslippery Walks.

A metal sole thus constructed is not only very pliable and elastic, butit does not impair the; elasticity of the leather sole, B, to which it pis applied.

Having thusdescribed my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Pat ent- A metal sole for boots or shoes having the parallelcuts a alternately beginning at opposite edges, extending nearly acrosssaid sole, and terminating in perforations b, substantially as hereinshown and described, said perforations being designed to prevent thefurther extension, by cracks or breaks, of the said cuts a, as setforth.

WILLIAM T. BUBROWS.

W'itnesses:

R. E. ODELL, H. P. UAVERLY.

